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If you are considering taking your dog on a trip, you might need a travel certificate. The airlines can let you know if one is required based on where you’re traveling to. Your vet will examine your pet as a part of the health certification process. The vet checks the shot records and may run some blood tests. The blood tests help ensure that your pet is healthy enough to travel. You will then receive a certificate of health to carry with you while you’re traveling. Keep this certificate handy so you can grab it quickly if asked for it. Contact Stonebridge Animal Hospital to get your certificate of health for pet
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Ring Worm By Dr. Ed Mapes Stonebridge Animal Hospital McKinney,Tx The term “ringworm” refers to a fungal infection that can involve the skin, hair, and toenails in animals and humans. It is concerning when we diagnose pets with ringworm due to the possibility of spread to family members. There are three fungal organisms responsible for the vast majority of infections in animals, and all are transmissible to humans. These are Trichophyton Mentographytes, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum. These fungal organisms that affect the skin, hair, and nails are known as Dermatophytes; the correct term for infection is actually dermatophytosis. The
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Hind Limb Weakness/Paralysis in Chinese Pugs By Dr. Ed Mapes Stonebridge Animal Hospital McKinney,Tx Spinal disorders can afflict dogs of any breed. Common symptoms usually include weakness of the rear legs (paresis) that can lead to paralysis, a decreased sensation of rear leg positioning (proprioceptive deficits), along with urinary and fecal incontinence. Some conditions cause pain while other dogs are pain free. Spinal conditions that can cause these symptoms include: intervertebral disc disease, spondylosis deformans, hemivertebra, neoplasia, fibrocartilage embolus, spinal cyst, meningomyelitis, degenerative myelopathy, syringomyelia, and subarachnoid diverticulum. These are all spinal problems that we’ve been aware of for quite
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Bringing home a new puppy is a great joy for your family and the puppy. As time goes on, you might notice that your puppy still tries to nurse. They may find the nearest blanket, knead it with their paws and suck on the blanket. Some will even fall asleep while firmly biting on the blanket. Some dogs will do this as they get older as well. It is not uncommon to see a dog that is a few years old still trying to nurse. This usually happens because the puppy was removed from the mother too soon, or the mother weaned the dog too soon. If this behavior worries
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Innovative Enhancement in Patient Care By Dr. Ed Mapes Stonebridge Animal Hospital McKinney,Tx A conscientious doctor constantly searches for new and innovative ways to improve patient care. I have discovered a fabulous line of supplements that has proven to help our patients in a variety of ways, and have implemented them where beneficial in our protocols. These products were originally designed for human use; predominately to neutralize the effects of aging. I figure it this way: if they’re efficacious and safe in humans, then they should be good enough for our patients! Among the wide range of benefits that these
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At some point, most people want to give their dog a bath. Some dogs will appreciate this time, while others won’t like it at all. However, it is a necessity to have a healthy dog. Keep your dog’s skin healthy by using a shampoo with oatmeal. After working the shampoo into the dog’s skin, let it sit for about 5 minutes. This allows the oatmeal an opportunity to work into the skin, making it healthier. A dog with healthy skin is comfortable, and a dog that’s comfortable is more relaxed and happy. Call Stonebridge Animal Hospital when you need advice
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Blepharitis: Infection of the Eyelids By Dr. Ed Mapes Stonebridge Animal Hospital McKinney,Tx Blepharitis, or infection of the eyelids, can arise secondary to several common disorders; but the resulting infection can be challenging to control whatever the cause. Skin and follicles of the eyelashes make up the outer layer of the lids. A middle layer contains glands that produce an oily substance that lubricates the eyes (Meibomian glands). Each gland connects to a duct that delivers the lubricant through openings at the lid margins. An inner portion of each lid consists of the conjunctival membrane, which allows contact of the
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All the details involved in planning an international trip can be daunting. It’s hard to know what you need to pack and which forms are important. If you plan on taking your family pet an International Animal Health Certificate is required. This paperwork can be overwhelming and must be filled out properly. Different countries have different regulations for animals travelling across their borders and you will need a professional on your side to help sort out all the details. At StoneBridge Animal Hospital, we are the only local animal hospital certified to provide an interstate and international health certificate for your
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Do You Need a Health Certificate for Your Pet When You Travel? What is a pet health certificate? It is aimed at preventing the spread of disease and you need it when traveling in between states. Prior to your travels you should see your vet. They will do a physical exam to make sure your pet is healthy and that they do not have a contagious disease. It must be signed by a federally accredited vet, your pet needs to be up to date on their vaccines, and it is good for 30 days of travel. Make sure your pet
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Gold Standard Treatment for Arthritis By Dr. Ed Mapes Stonebridge Animal Hospital Veterinary recommendations to alleviate arthritic pain in our patients have changed over a lot over the years. In the case of hip dysplasia, for example, we’ve progressed from prescribing pain mediation and decreased exercise a few years ago to treatments that actually remove the discomfort and enable a more normal lifestyle. The days of just providing pain meds are over. A surgical procedure called the Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) was the next best option available for these dogs. This procedure called for surgical amputation of the
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